Somebody's private farm pond loaded with bass, sunfish and catfish? Nope, it's Nelson Slough near Nicholas in the Central Valley, and it's one small section of many miles of waterways open to public fishing and small boating in the region.

A growing option for hunters and anglers exists in public lands being purchased by state resource agencies.

From down-home gatherings of pals to multi-level hunting clubs, private licensed bird clubs come in many styles. Pick the one that's right for you.

There are hundreds of private licensed gamebird clubs in California. How do you choose the one that will fit you like your favorite pointer?

Featured gamebird club -coming soon!

Landlocked king salmon are the only chinooks that California anglers will be catching this year

While not as big as an ocean king, salmon caught from California's reservoirs can range in size up to 6 pounds and larger. With a five-fish limit, a peristent angler might just come home with 15 to 20 pounds of king salmon meat while fishing one of the lakes planted with kings. Here, Rick Sisneros shows off a nearly 6-pound king caught while he fished with guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing.

With the ocean salmon season shut down due to dismal forecasts of the 2008 Central Valley salmon runs, some anglers are turning inland to target landlocked king salmon.